15TH SATURDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 12:14-21) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.” (Mt 12:20)

FIRST READING - 12:37-42

A reading from the Book of Exodus

The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth,

about six hundred thousand men on foot,

not counting the little ones.

A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them,

besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds.

Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened,

they baked it into unleavened loaves.

They had rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity

even to prepare food for the journey.

The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt

was four hundred and thirty years.

At the end of four hundred and thirty years,

all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt on this very date.

This was a night of vigil for the LORD,

as he led them out of the land of Egypt;

so on this same night

all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the LORD

throughout their generations.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 12:14-21

From the Gospel according to Matthew

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus

to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.

Many people followed him, and he cured them all,

but he warned them not to make him known.

This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved in whom I delight;

I shall place my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not contend or cry out,

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed he will not break,

a smoldering wick he will not quench,

until he brings justice to victory.

And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

15TH SATURDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 12:14-21)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

The Word of God today speaks of God's immense love and mercy for all humanity: "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench."

God sees that human beings are full of sin and imperfection before Him, yet He cannot bear to let souls suffer under the domination and imprisonment of Satan. Therefore, God humbled Himself and came to earth, taking on human form to be with us, to accompany us, and to save humanity from the bondage of Satan through His death and resurrection.

The love of God the Father is revealed in His only Son, Jesus Christ. On this earth, no love is greater than the love of God the Father. Although Jesus Christ was insulted and killed by humans, He always opened His arms and His loving heart to welcome sinful children who repent and return to God, so that He might comfort, support, and heal the wounds torn open by Satan.

God's love is clearly seen through the image of Jesus healing all illnesses and disabilities for those who believe in His name. To those who come to Him and believe in the power of God the Father, He grants healing and gives eternal life. This is the purpose of life for those who seek the precious pearl—that is the Kingdom of Heaven in the future.

Today’s Word of God reminds us that the main purpose of Jesus Christ coming to earth as a human was not only to heal physical illnesses, but to save human souls from the captivity of Satan—souls that are willing to abandon the path of sin and return to God the Father.

Today, in continuing the mission of Jesus Christ, He still sends His apostles to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, calling everyone to repent and return to God the Father, so that He may heal every illness and disability of both soul and body. Whoever believes in the name of Jesus Christ will be saved.

Thanks be to God. Amen.